Moss gets offer from Chicago Slaughter

Randy Moss can play football in Chicago this year if he desires. Although it remains to be seen if the Chicago Bears want Moss, the Chicago Slaughter does.

The Indoor Football League team, which plays its games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, has offered the controversial receiver a contract.

"What a great way to show the NFL he’s still got it,” Slaughter coach Steve McMichael said. “If he catches four or five touchdowns in his first game, the NFL will say he can still play.”

The idea may not be that far-fetched, considering former NFL receiver Terrell Owens apparently will be playing for the Allen Wranglers of the IFL.

McMichael said he wouldn’t expect much from Moss, other than learning his assignments and playing.

"It would be a head coach’s dream to have a future Hall of Famer on your team, not just for what he affords you on game day, but also in the locker room, his work ethic,” McMichael said. “I promise you he didn’t succeed just by sitting around with talent God gave him.”

McMichael believes Moss is a unique talent.

“He is the best rebounder I’ve ever seen at receiver,” he said. “With the ball up in the air, he could get it before the defensive back.”

That Moss is 35 is not an issue until McMichael. The former Bear pointed out he played until he was 38, and at 36 he had six sacks and 76 tackles.

McMichael said he would tell Moss the same thing he told Jerry Rice when Rice was nearing the end of his career and Rice sought him out for advice at a card show.

“I told him, ‘You’ve always had two steps on everybody, you can afford to lose one,’ ” McMichael said.

As for the concern that Moss could be difficult to coach, McMichael said, “I’m not under same perception most people are that he’s a bad guy. A guy with nickname is Mongo can have those perception problems too.”

The Slaughter opens its season Sunday at home against the Bloomington Edge.